When it comes to “must watch” TV, I admit I usually head over to CBS (NCIS) or AMC (The Walking Dead). However, my interest was piqued when I received a press release for a special airing on PBS tomorrow (Thursday) night entitled Caring for Mom & Dad, narrated by Meryl Streep. As the publisher of Travel with Aging Parents, I qualified to see the documentary in advance and all I have to say is this show should be mandatory watching for every person on the planet.

Caring for Mom & Dad premieres TONIGHT on PBS.

Producer, writer and director Larken McPhee was given intimate access into the daily lives of 8 people caring for their parents at different stages of aging. Alicia Zepeda-Cervantes provides hardcore medical services to her mother after she was left paralyzed from a heart attack. Breanna Olson is a Millennial forced to give up her promising career in NY politics to help care for her mother in Minnesota after she developed Alzheimer’s.

Yes, rather sobering, but my first thought was how grateful I am that Mom is doing so well. At 85, she acts 20 years younger – she still l drives, she’s out with friends 5 days a week, loves to travel, and has controllable health issues. I’m not sure I appreciated how lucky I’ve got it until I watched Caring for Mom & Dad. Beyond my personal situation, the documentary drives home a looming crisis – how to care for 76 million Baby Boomers once they reach an age where they need care?

More discussion after the show airs as I would love to hear thoughts from TWAP readers on your particular situation.

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Planes, Trains and Wheelchairs--that's my life in a nutshell. A couple of years ago, I decided to show my mom the world, one airport ramp at a time. And with over 300,000-miles-traveled-together, I'm thrilled to say we've tackled every hurdle thrown our way (including the 32+ hour flight to Australia!)

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Planes, Canes, and Wheelchairs

Val Grubb’s father was a pilot, so she was practically born in the air and started traveling at the early age of four. Val and her mom took their first vacation together when her mom was 65, and in the 20+ years since then they’ve logged over 300,000 miles (and counting!). Covering trips to Thailand, France, Australia, China, and beyond, Travel with Aging Parents chronicles the triumphs (and challenges) of intergenerational travel with Grubb’s “you can do this” signature flair.